San Antonio police have revised their earlier assertion about the murder of actor Jonathan Joss, acknowledging it was premature to declare there was no evidence of a hate crime. Joss was shot while checking on his home, with the suspect shouting violent homophobic slurs. His husband disclosed they had faced regular harassment regarding their relationship. Police Chief McManus admitted the initial statement caused anxiety within the LGBTQ+ community and clarified that a formal hate crime designation could affect sentencing in Texas, where separate hate crime charges do not exist.
"It was way too early in the process for any statement of that nature to be issued. We understand that many in the LGBTQ+ community are feeling anxious and concerned."
"Joss's husband mentioned that they had been harassed regularly by individuals who made it clear they did not accept our relationship over the past two years."
"Despite online claims of this being a hate crime, currently the investigation has found no evidence to indicate that Mr. Joss's murder was related to his sexual orientation."
"Chief McManus acknowledged that the statement had been a mistake and said, 'We simply shouldn't have done that.'"
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